Broncos-Ravens Preview
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Broncos-Ravens Preview
Broncos-Ravens Preview
Read more:
Broncos-Ravens Preview
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell met with members of the media at today’s Special Meeting in Dallas, Texas. Here’s a recap of some of the key issues that Goodell discussed and/or was asked about. One of the main issues was expanding the playoffs from its current 12-game format, which Goodell said was under consideration. “Right now, we are at 12 teams, obviously,” Goodell said. “We will look at probably 14 or 16. The committee will be looking at that. ” The current format appears to be perfect, both in terms of the number of games in January and ensuring that nearly all of the 256-game regular season remains important. Any expansion of the post-season would likely involve the elimination of bye weeks in the post-season, requiring the top two teams in each conference to play in the Wild Card round. With one Thursday Night Football game remaining on the 2012 schedule, Goodell was asked about how playing games in the middle of the week impacts the safety of players. “We don’t have any information that indicates from our data that playing on Thursdays in any way decreases the safety of our players,” said Goodell. “The injury rates do not indicate that at all over the years. You start with the facts. The facts are that it is not a risk to the players. ” Perhaps player safety may not be as great an issue as “player availability”. The shorter work week has resulted in players missing that game, such was the case last week when the Denver Broncos played without guard Chris Kuper and linebacker (and leading tackler) Wesley Woodyard, who had ailments that quite possibly would have allowed them to play on Sunday had the league not insisted on creeping into the work week by scheduling games on Thursday nights. Fortunately, Goodell is less gung-ho on a desired 18-game regular season schedule.
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NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell discusses bounty program, expanded playoffs after Special Meeting in Dallas (Shutdown Corner)
We begin our look at the key injuries in the NFL with the Thursday Night Football game between the Cincinnati Bengals and Philadelphia Eagles. For the Bengals, first round cornerback Dre Kirkpatrick (head/illness) has been ruled out, while kicker Mike Nugent (right calf) and backup running back Cedric Peerman (ankle) are “doubtful”. Nugent missed last Sunday’s game against the Cowboys and was replaced by veteran Josh Brown, who remains on the roster. Defensive end Michael Johnson, who is second on the team with 8.5 sacks, is “questionable” with a toe injury that has him in a walking boot. For the Eagles, quarterback Michael Vick, running back LeSean McCoy and tight end Brent Celek are out due to concussions. The Eagles also placed defensive tackle Mike Patterson on the “Reserve/Non-Football Illness” list, removing him from the active roster. Washington Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin was limited in Wednesday’s practice due to a “mild” sprain of the lateral collateral ligament in his right knee, but sounds intent on playing against the Cleveland Browns on Sunday. Left tackle Trent Williams (thigh) was also limited, while inside linebacker London Fletcher (ankle) did not participate. The Browns practiced with nearly a full allotment of players, listing three as “limited participant”, most notably left tackle Joe Thomas, who has a back injury. New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski (forearm/hip) did not participate in Wednesday’s walk-through, nor did defensive tackle Kyle Love, whose wife gave birth to their child. As is usually the case, over a dozen Patriots were listed as “limited”, including wide receivers Wes Welker (ankle) and Brandon Lloyd (knee), tight end Aaron Hernandez (ankle), starting offensive linemen Dan Connolly (back), Logan Mankins (ankle/calf) and Sebastian Vollmer (back/knee), defensive end Chandler Jones (ankle), linebackers Dont’a Hightower (hamstring) and Brandon Spikes (knee/ankle), cornerbacks Aqib Talib (hip), Kyle Arrington (knee) and Alfonzo Dennard (hamstring), and safety Patrick Chung (shoulder/hamstring). Four San Francisco 49ers were limited, including linebacker Aldon Smith and wide receiver Mario Manningham, who have shoulder injuries. Green Bay Packers safety Charles Woodson will not return from his broken collarbone this week as the club has already ruled him out Sunday’s game against the Chicago Bears. Woodson will lose another $62,500 “per game active” roster bonus, bringing his season-long tally to $437,500 in lost income. Packers wide receiver Jordy Nelson’s hamstring injury prevented him from practicing on Wednesday, while linebacker Clay Matthews (hamstring), guard T.J. Lang (ankle), left tackle Marshall Newhouse (wrist) and receiver Donald Driver (thumb) were limited. The Packers may healthier than the Bears, who had a lengthy list of players not practicing on Wednesday. Quarterback Jay Cutler (neck/knee), running back Michael Bush (ribs), wide receiver Earl Bennett (concussion), defensive linemen Shea McClellin (knee) and Henry Melton (chest), linebackers Brian Urlacher (hamstring) and Lance Briggs (knee/hip) and cornerback Tim Jennings (shoulder) were out. Urlacher is not expected to play due to his strained hamstring, which could sideline him for the remainder of the regular season. New York Giants running back Ahmad Bradshaw (knee/foot), wide receiver Hakeem Nicks (knee), defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul (back), linebacker Michael Boley (back) and cornerback Prince Amukamara (hamstring) did not practice on Wednesday. Nicks is expected to return to practice later this week, but head coach Tom Coughlin was non-committal about the statuses of Bradshaw and Amukamara for Sunday’s game against the Atlanta Falcons, who practiced without wide receiver Roddy White (knee), defensive tackle Jonathan Babineaux (ribs) and safety William Moore (hamstring). Cornerback Asante Samuel (shoulder), left tackle Sam Baker (hand), left guard Justin Blalock (elbow) and No. 3 receiver Harry Douglas (ribs) were limited.
The San Diego Chargers continue to have problems on the offensive line. Starting tackles Jeromey Clary (knee) and Mike Harris (ankle) and guard Tyron…
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Chargers still banged up on O-line
The Ravens’ coordinator change means more is needed from the passer who’s scheduled to become a free agent next offseason.
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Ravens’ title run, contract extension for QB ride on Joe Flacco’s ability to handle added pressure (Yahoo! Sports)
The Ravens’ coordinator change means more is needed from the passer who’s scheduled to become a free agent next offseason.
Denver’s Von Miller means more to his team than any other Defensive Player of the Year candidate, writes Ashley Fox.
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No other defender as important as Von Miller — Between The Tackles
If Washington Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III gets to make the final call whether he plays in Sunday’s game against the Cleveland Browns, there’s little doubt No. 10 will be behind center at Browns Stadium.
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NFL roundup: Redskins’ Griffin thinks he might play Sunday (The SportsXchange)
ENGLEWOOD, Colo. (AP) — Though nobody would discount an eight-game winning streak, there’s a not-so-little secret about the one Peyton Manning and the Denver Broncos are currently enjoying.
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Broncos to face toughest test since October (The Associated Press)
The Denver Broncos had better bring their big-boy pants to Baltimore. According to our AFC West poll, the Broncos’ game Sunday against the Ravens is …
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Poll results: Must-win for Denver